Endoluminal graft

Abstract

An endoluminal graft includes a unitary tube of graft material forming two adjacent legs that are integral and monolithic to each other. The graft can be part of a prosthesis assembly for treatment of branched vascular systems and can function as an integral bifurcated leg extension prosthesis in combination with a main bifurcated prosthesis. In treating abdominal aortic aneurysms, the graft can be deployed within both iliac arteries.

1. An endoluminal graft comprising:
 a tube of graft material having a first end, a second end, and a frangible section disposed between the first and second ends; 
 the tube including a first leg having a proximal end disposed adjacent one side of the frangible section and a distal end disposed at the first end of the tube, and a second leg integral with and adjacent to the first leg, the second leg having a proximal end disposed adjacent the other side of the frangible section and a distal end disposed at the second end of the tube; 
 where the frangible section comprises a series of perforations in the graft material perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tube and extending at least partially circumferentially about the tube; 
 where the frangible section connects the first leg and the second leg so that the first and second legs share a common lumen; 
 where each of the legs comprises at least one expandable stent secured to the graft material; and 
 where the frangible section is at least partially breakable upon the application of a bending force perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube. 
 
     
     
       2. The graft of  claim 1  where the expandable stents are self-expanding. 
     
     
       3. The graft of  claim 1  where each of the first and second legs comprises an internal stent at the proximal end. 
     
     
       4. The graft of  claim 1  where each of the first and second legs comprises an internal stent at the distal end. 
     
     
       5. The graft of  claim 1  comprising a stent about a combined periphery of the proximal ends. 
     
     
       6. The graft of  claim 1  comprising at least one radiopaque marker. 
     
     
       7. The graft of  claim 6  where the at least one radiopaque marker is adjacent a portion of the graft between the proximal ends. 
     
     
       8. The graft of  claim 7  where the at least one radiopaque marker is located at the frangible section. 
     
     
       9. The graft of  claim 1  where the first leg is monolithic with the second leg. 
     
     
       10. The graft of  claim 1 , further comprising a second graft having a proximal end and a distal end, where the tube of graft material is insertable into at least one of the proximal and distal ends of the second graft to extend the second graft. 
     
     
       11. The graft of  claim 1 , further comprising a second graft having a proximal end and a distal end, where the tube of graft material is insertable into at least one of the proximal and distal ends of the second graft to extend the second graft. 
     
     
       12. An endoluminal prosthesis, comprising:
 a main body having a proximal end and a distal end and comprising a bifurcation, a first limb, and a second limb; and 
 a tube of graft material insertable into at least one of the proximal and distal ends, the tube of graft material comprising a frangible section, a first leg disposed adjacent one side of the frangible section, and a second leg, integral with and adjacent to the first leg, disposed adjacent the other side of the frangible section; 
 where the frangible section comprises a series of perforations in the graft material perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tube, extends at least partially circumferentially about the tube, and connects the first leg and the second leg so that the first and second legs share a common lumen 
 where the frangible section is at least partially breakable upon the application of a bending force perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube. 
 
     
     
       13. The endoluminal prosthesis of  claim 12  where the tube is formed from a single tube of graft material and the first and second legs are integral and monolithic with each other. 
     
     
       14. The endoluminal prosthesis of  claim 13  where at least a portion of the first and second legs of the tube are within the distal end of the main body. 
     
     
       15. The endoluminal prosthesis of  claim 14  where the first leg is disposed in the first limb of the main body and the second leg is disposed in the second limb of the main body. 
     
     
       16. An endoluminal graft comprising:
 a tube of graft material having a first end, a second end, and a single, continuous lumen disposed between the first and second ends; 
 a first expandable stent secured to the graft material and a second expandable stent secured to the graft material; and 
 a means for at least partially tearing the tube upon the application of a bending force perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube, whereby application of a bending force on the tube separates the tube into:
 a first leg portion comprising the first expandable stent and having a proximal end, a distal end disposed at the first end of the tube, and a first lumen disposed between the proximal and distal ends of the first leg portion; 
 a second leg portion, integral and monolithic with the first leg portion, comprising the second expandable stent and having a proximal end, a distal end disposed at the second end of the tube, and a second lumen disposed between the proximal and distal ends of the second leg portion. 
 
 
     
     
       17. The graft of  claim 16  where the means for breaking the tube comprises a series of perforations in the graft material perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tube and extending at least partially circumferentially about the tube.